Alaafin of Oyo Celebrates Igbo Ora's Twin Heritage

The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade, commended the people of Igbo Ora town in Ibarapa Central Area of Oyo State for their commitment to preserving Yoruba culture and heritage, which has made the community a tourist attraction. This statement was made in a message for World Twins Day, as reported by his Director of Media and Publicity, Bode Durojaiye, in Ibadan.

Represented by his wife, Ayaba Abiwunmi Olajumoke, the Alaafin highlighted the revered status of twins in Yoruba culture, symbolizing spiritual beliefs and blessings. He explained that twins, known as Ibeji, are considered divine beings and are celebrated through various festivals and rituals.

Igbo Ora is noted for its exceptionally high rate of twin births, with one in every four births resulting in twins, compared to the global average of one in every 80. The town's unique cultural appreciation for twins has drawn interest from researchers seeking to understand this phenomenon.